22 CHOICES | 2013 SPRING ISSUE
Knowledge is Power - There are ways to protect your personal information . The best way is to be aware of your PII , personal identifiable information . The loss of your identity is a serious issue and it could cost you time and money to regain your identity . Here are some steps that will give you the knowledge to protect yourself and your family from fraud crimes .
CHECK YOUR WALLET / PURSE
KEEP COPIES & RECORDS
GUARD AGAINST MAIL THEFT
Don ’ t carry your Social
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Security card or the cards of your children or spouse in your wallet or purse . Normal daily activities do not deem it necessary to carry these items . Your Social Security card is one of the main sources identity thieves use to obtain your personal identifiable information .
If your Social Security number is on your health insurance card , remove that from your wallet or purse as well .
Consider putting your driver ’ s license in a separate holder . This way , if your wallet is stolen , your license – and the personal information contained on it – may still be safe .
Don ’ t carry all your credit cards with you . If you carry only one card at a time , you cut down on the risk of someone gaining access to all your accounts .
Don ’ t carry a list of Internet passwords with you .
Keep photocopies and
2 records of your credit cards and other accounts in a safe place . This will make it easier to contact your account providers , and cancel your accounts quickly , should your cards be stolen . This goes for Internet providers , banks , and other passwords , too .
KEEP YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SAFE
Never give your Social
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Security number to someone without knowing the recipient . If asked for your Social Security number , always ask the question why . And if they don ’ t need it , don ’ t feel obligated to provide it . Ask if there is some other information you can give them in lieu of this important personal information .
Change your mail habits .
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The safest way to safeguard your mail is to use a locked box . Consider renting a post office box , and drop bills into an official U . S . locked mailbox instead of leaving them in a non-secured personal mailbox in front of your house . Don ’ t place sensitive outgoing mail into an open bin at school or work .
PROTECT BANK INFORMATION
Safeguard your banking
5 information . When you order new checks , have them delivered to the bank instead of to your home or office . The bank will hold them until you personally pick them up . You should also consider paying your bills online . This can often be done through either your own bank ’ s website , or through your creditor ’ s website . Many companies will also send electronic bills directly to your email account .